What’s Your Preference?

lindyannajones · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 04:47 AM

Where she Met Me - Lomaki in the Fog

Sage, Juniper and Grass

The story continues. Yesterday, you may recall, our character had awakened from a bad dream, recalling the Volcanic eruption that had occurred three generations previous but continued to be recounted from one generation to another

There was, however, another reason why she was having trouble sleeping—she was excited. The summer hummingbirds had already migrated, and she was aware that the declination of the sun was casting a longer shadow. It would not be long now before the sun calendar would tell them the exact day when they would need to set out for the yearly gathering at Wupatki.

Waputki was a frontier between established groups. Wapatki was probably the tallest, largest and richest pueblo in the area with its 100 rooms, tower, community room and ball court. 2000 people lived within a days walk.

A few members of the clans to the east had already been spotted trekking across the hills on their way to the gathering. Soon there would be several thousand people from every sacred direction converging on the city. She was glad it was only a day's walk for her people. She reached under the covers and felt for her polishing stone, encircling its smooth surface with her fingertips. She thought about the seed jar she had worked on all summer and how much she had hoped to make her mother proud of her pottery skills.

Mother had made it look so easy, but once she began learning how to place the clay coils on top of one another and smooth them together with her paddle and anvil, she was surprised at how often her bowl would collapse and she would have to begin again. Just before the rains came, however, she had finally made a jar that she thought might stand up to firing. And she was right. It made it through that crucible and came out of the fire ready to be polished. She had spent hours rubbing it with her stone and when she finished, it was smooth, with a glowing patina, just like Mother's jars and bowls. She felt a sense of pride well up, recalling how her mother had praised her work, but, of course, the final decision as to whether she could take it to trade at the ceremonies rested with grandmother. The jar would have to meet grandmother's standards to qualify.

Sunflowers - Seeds for the Seed Jar

private · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 04:57 AM

you amaze me with your poetic words and equally beautiful photos.

pjflan7 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 05:08 AM

nice strip of light through that flower! great storyline and boy when I think of those people and that location.....I wonder, what in the world did they eat? How did they survive in such a harsh climate? scarcity of water and all.....So much we'll never know I guess.

toyvlle · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:51 AM

Lindy your photos here are just incredible, I will be watching tomorrow for our next installment. You are so talented.

shmelly · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 07:08 AM

Beautiful photograph Lindy, especially the first and second, can't wait for tomorrows installment.

beachcomber · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 08:19 AM

The colours vary between subtle and vibrant
The focus, DoF and light are just right
The pictures appeal on so many levels
Excellent set, there is a different feel to your work recently but I can't quite define how.

I'm willing to learn, teach me of this wilderness easily
Walk me high as I walked the mountain hand in hand in mystery light
Quick Words (Talk-Talk)

Chewys Dad · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 10:10 AM

Years ago, I was able to attend a class in the methods of clay pottery and fireing in the traditional Hopi way. It was so interesting.
Also While hiking in the superstition Mountains, near Revis Ranch, I was shown a 1000 year old Salado Indian site, there were Pottery shards everywhere, but of course we left them where we found them. It was amazing to find the site so close to the main trail into Revis.
Any way, Lindyanna, I thank you for the lovely pictures and the history lesson and look forward to the next installment.
Michael.